March 28 marks another memorable day in the annals of the history of the
Kandyan kingdom. It was on March 28th 1638, three hundred and thirty-seven
years ago, that the Portuguese were routed out in Gannoruwa, close to where
the present Law Courts Complex stands.

Though this land, houses the complex that dispense justice today, it was
the battlefield where more than thirty-five thousand shed their blood for
the independence of the motherland. It may be recalled that Constantine de
Saa Noronha who led the battle of the Randeniwela on the 2nd August 1630,
paid his supreme sacrifice for leading the Portuguese army against
Rajasinghe II of Senkadagala.

The king of Portugal found it difficult to find a suitable replacement
for Saa for over one year. Don Phillip Maskaranho, who was the Captain in
Cochin, was temporarily sent to Colombo in October 1631. Don Jorgo de
Almaida was sent to Colombo as Captain General. Almaida was unable to hold
this post for long as he became unpopular not only among his Portuguese
soldiers but also the Sinhalese.

By 1633, Diogo de Mello who was later to lead the Gannoruwa battle
assumed duties as Captain General in Colombo. By the end of 1633, De Mello
with captain San Thome provoked Rajasinghe who was at Gannetenna by this
time. They got the assistance of a Kaffir Regiment for this, on
confrontation.

Mello took into his custody a caravan of six-hundred bulls and the men
who looked after them. But later, they were release in a bid to win the
goodwill of the monarch. Mello also discussed with the king some issues
arising out of a peace accord signed with the Portuguese by king Senarath,
his father. It was the second time that the Portuguese General discussed
these issues. He was only marking time to prepare for a war. Discreetly,
Mello arranged for seven-hundred Portuguese soldiers, five hundred lascarins,
Kaffirs and Canaris troops of one-thousand.

Damio Bartado mustered these troops with the help of Calisto Machado who
was in-charge of the Portuguese battalions of Hath Korale. These troops
encamped at Attapitiya in a show of strength to the Sihalese. The Sinhalese
summoned their fighters from Matale and Uva and fortified their troops.

When a confrontation was imminent, Rajasinghe in order to honour a treaty
signed with his father Senarath released two-hundred Portuguese who were
prisoner under him. The chief of Goa, Conde de Linharex, was highly
appreciative of this gesture and wrote to the king on 29.11.1634 and
inquired "How can I wage war on your Kingdom when our soldiers are held
captive as prisoners in your domain".

As the Portuguese historian Queiroz mentions that the intention was to
approach Wijayapala, the king's cousin in Matale, and give him an
undertaking to declare Wijayapala as king having expelled Rajasinghe. De
Mello sent several communications to Wijayapala to accept this proposal, but
they were all turned down by the Prince of Matale.

Wijayapala was later in the Gannoruwa battle field with Rajasinghe
directing operations. Mello took into his custody a tusker belonging to the
king. Rajasinghe took into his custody two Arabian horses belonging to
Mello.

When Mello challenged the king to release his horses, Rajasinghe said
"bring my tusker to Senkadagala and remove your horses". The king was
furious when the Portuguese killed his Disawa of Batticaloa, the son of Uva
Maharala, Rambukwelle Janawallaba.

Battle commences

De Mello ordered the Disawa of Hatara Korale to muster all the lascarin
troops to Menikkadawara. Mello himself came to Menikkadawara on March 19th
with troops from Colombo and Malacca, specially brought down for the battle.

Troops were brought from Malwana Portuguese camp. Now, the strength was
nine-hindred Portuguese, five-thousand lascarins (Riberio estimates this
figure as twenty-eight thousand) Sepoy, Canrasi, Kaffir, troops. The battle
is to be commanded by a young warrior, Pernao de Mendeuuro Fertado, nephew
of Mello. Captain Morr who was in charge of Menikkadawara camp was in the
battle field.

History records that Kabari Kannadi Jawaka troops were after Kansa (Canibus
/ opium) and liquor. History further mentions that shameless Sinhalese and
graceless Bangali and Parava sailors also joined the Portuguese in this
battle. Now, all troop in their thousands were marching towards Balana,
passing Ganetenna. Rajasinghe who was at Uda Palatha at the time, sent an
ola to Mello to stop this unnecessary war and massacre of the innocents.

Rajasinghe was able to read, write and speak Portuguese language. Mello's
reply was "this black brat is shivering, we will pull him by the ear" (Rajasinghe
was a youth in his early 30s). This disparaging remark was enough
provocation for Rajasinghe to ignite the battle.

The king mobilised his troops from Uva, Tunkinda, Matale, Harispattuwa,
Balavita, Dumbara Pansiyapattu, Udagama Pasrata, Hewaheta, Baluthgama,
Dolosbage, Wellassa, Maturata, Badulla, Thiruwanagama, Gampaha, Matota,
Tirukovil Vedipattu, Kottiyar, Vanniya Trincomalee, Kalaweva, Huruluweva,
Hiriyala, Ganthale, Anuradhapura, Panampattu and all other places throughout
the country. Rajasinghe and Wijayapala fought with the only ambition of
driving away the Portuguese. Those who clamour for separate units can see
that this country was one unitary state, the king having his writ all over
the country.

There were thousands of heads heaped in Gannoruwa paddy field. Even the
head of De Mello could not be identified. His nephew, who commanded the
troops, Fernando de Mendoka, at last ran to rescue Prince Wijayapala of
Matale. Only thirty-three Portuguese remained alive after the battle,
Rajasinghe consolidated his victory by making the following appointments as
a token of appreciation.

Siyanekorale Disawa was posted to Nuwara Kalaviya, Walagama Chandrasekara
was put incharge of Hath Korale, Wickremasinghe was posted as Disawa of
Puttalam, Illankone posted to be incharge of Matara, Moladanda who was the
Saluwadana Nilame, was promoted as Atapattu Mudali, Kuruppu Mudali of
Koratota was posted as Sabaragamuwa Disawa, Kapthota was put incharge of
Hatara Korale.

All were amply rewarded with positions, lands etc. The king offered his
sword and crown to Dodanwela Devala and dedicated Dodanwela Devala to five
kings and sixty-five Bandaras.